Eight world titles in eight weight divisions? That record will not be broken? not in a million years! There?s really no more use gunning for ninth.
THE PRICE FOR FAME AND FORTUNE
Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol? Filipino ring legend Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao is boxing?s hottest commodity. Everybody wants a piece of him, not because they think they can easily beat him, which is very unlikely, but because they all want to take their biggest career paycheck. Pacquiao is boxing?s greatest fighter and biggest draw. For a professional fighter, a bout against him will most probably mean taking a thorough beating never before experienced, but nonetheless well-compensated. However, the only thing that?s certain is that Pacquiao cannot and will not accommodate everybody. He?s turning thirty-two on the 17th of December and has somehow shifted his passion towards some other endeavors. Pacquiao?s enthusiasm particularly in politics grows and grows with every session in congress. Correspondingly, the window of opportunity for those who want to hit the jackpot grows smaller and smaller with each passing day.
MAYWEATHER REMAINS THE BEST OPTION
?Pretty Boy? Floyd Mayweather, Jr. of the United States is the only remaining spec of cloud to Pacquiao?s boxing royalty. People who are envious of what Pacquiao has achieved (mostly Mayweather supporters) will always see things in a different light. They will continue to blab about Mayweather?s undefeated status, just as their disgraced hero continues to convince himself that he?s the best. Yet, everybody knows, and that includes Mayweather and his crew, that a little guy from the far east is the top dog? the alpha male? the true boxing superstar!
MARQUEZ WILL DO IF PACQUIAO WANTS TO CATCH A LITTLE BREAK
Mexican ring icon Juan Manuel ?Dinamita? Marquez continues to stand the test of time. In a bout slightly reminiscent of Pacquiao-Marquez II, the grizzled veteran hit the deck in the 3rd inning. Michael ?The Great? Katsidis was strong and relentless, but he was taking a whole lot of beating. Dinamita?s precise punches were like a pestle that slowly, but surely softened the once sturdy meat in Katsidis. Marquez wants a third outing with Pacquiao and with that kind of performance he showcased Saturday night, he?ll probably get it. This will be a relatively easy fight for Pacquiao. Juan Manuel?s fighting style is calculating and a nightmare to most offensive fighters. Unlike Katsidis, though, Pacquiao is in a league of his own. Furthermore, Marquez need not fool himself about the idea that he?ll be facing the same guy he fought twice before. The Pacquiao he twice fought is a far cry to the Pacquiao of today.
CHOOSING MARQUEZ WILL BE GREAT FOR PACQUIAO AND HIS LEGACY!
The Mexican counter-puncher is in the perfect position to negotiate a third installment of their two explosive encounters for three main reasons. The first reason is that Pacquiao?s win over Marquez at junior lightweight was far from being decisive. Pacquiao, for his part, would not want a question mark in his resume, especially looking back when his career is over and done with. If Pacquiao is able to defeat Marquez decisively this time around, and I am 100% sure he will, then that question mark will be replaced with an exclamation point. Second, Pacquiao could go for a knockout, which I think is also inevitable before the 6th round (my early prediction), and use this as a huge bargaining chip for the eventual showdown with Mayweather, who wasn?t able to stop the considerably smaller Marquez when they traded mitts a few fights back. And finally, the third reason being that fighting Marquez would not require a whole bunch of scouting and planning new strategies and/or training regimen that demand a lot of time and effort, considering the fact that by now Team Pacquiao very much knows Marquez pretty well already. Marquez is the same guy? only older. With all the unworldly things Pacquiao has done, beating one huge fighter after another, this could very well be the kind of break he so deserves. Marquez being a stay-busy fight of sort? Well, doesn?t that say enough of Pacquiao?s very lofty status already?
FORGET MARTINEZ? EIGHT IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!
Pacquiao could still be a potent fighter against Sergio Martinez at middleweight. There?s no doubt about that? but hey, one has to decide when enough is enough! Eight world titles in eight weight divisions? That record will not be broken? not in a million years! There?s really no more use gunning for ninth. What Pacquiao should go after is another lineal championship to add to his four in the bag and call it a day. Let?s just hope the guy holding that belt will finally man up and stake his belt along with his ever glorified unbeaten status.
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